Createability has started work on a £370,000 refurbishment scheme at Winchester's River Park Leisure Centre, which will deliver an expanded fitness suite at the venue.

Due to take 12 weeks to complete, the programme of work follows the announcement that operator DC Leisure had renewed its contract to manage the site for 12 more years. The scheme will see Createability break through the existing fitness suite and join it to a new space to create a 71sq m (764sq ft) gym. A new reception area is also planned.

Meanwhile, the refurbishment will also result in the changing areas "swapping sides" in a bid to create a large area for female customers - 60 per cent of the centre's users. Each changing room will incorporate a sauna and individual cubicles, while thermostatically controlled showers will be installed as part of the scheme.

River Park Leisure Centre general manager Sarah Morgan said: "The last major refurbishment took place in 1998 and, since then, the increase in gym usage and membership means the existing changing facilities struggle to cope. "Later in the year, we intend to replace our cv equipment and spinning bikes, ensuring the new fitness suite exceeds customers' expectations."